OTD | Three players hit hundreds on the same day before Sri Lanka declared at 547/8 against Australia in Colombo in 1992

On this day in 1992, three Sri Lankan batters smashed Test hundreds on the same day. Against a strong visiting side like Australia, the home side batted well to help Sri Lanka remain in the driver’s seat in the match. The likes of Asanka Gurusinha, Arjuna Ranatunga, and Romesh Kaluwitharana smashed hundreds. Additionally, Roshan Mahanama scored 78 runs and helped Sri Lanka’s cause.

Batting first, the visiting side scored 256 runs in their first innings. Asanka came in at three and held one end for the rest of the innings. Mahanama batted fairly aggressively at the other end which helped Asanka to take his time. In his stay in the middle, Gurusinha scored 137 runs in 399 balls which included 18 fours. His knock came at a strike rate of just 34.33.

But it set a good platform for the lower middle-order batters to bat the way they wished. Ranatunga took full advantage of it and went after the bowlers. On a flat pitch, the Southpaw notched up a magnificent ton. The Sri Lankan skipper scored 127 runs in 192 balls which included 15 fours and 3 sixes. His knock gave the much-needed momentum to the Sri Lankan innings.

While Arjuna was quick, Romesh was quick. His hundred ensured Sri Lanka remained at the top after the first innings. The aggressive batter scored an unbeaten 132 which came in 158 balls at a great strike rate of 83.54. His knock included 26 boundaries. In 170 overs, Sri Lanka scored 547/8 and declared their innings. They had a massive lead of 291 runs. What turned later was fatal for the home side.

In the second innings, Australia posted a great total of 471 runs, thanks to fifties from David Boon, Dean Jones, Mark Waugh, and Greg Matthews. Additionally, the Australian tail wagged and a pathetic bowling from SL which had 58 extras meant Australia got a total they could defend. SL couldn’t chase 181 runs, as they were folded out for a score of 164 runs. A 16-run loss overshadowed the knocks of Ranatunga, Gurusinha, and Kaluwitharana.

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